How A Bill Becomes Law

Question 1

1. House/Senate - Bill Introduced

Introduction

Answer 1

A bill can be introduced only by a member of Congress, but bills are often drafted in the executive branch or by interest groups with the exception of tax bills (which must originate in the House), a bill may be introduced in either the House or the Senate.

Question 2

2. House/Senate - Referred to Committee

Committee Delegation

Answer 2

A bill is referred to an appropriate standing committee. Revenue bills go automatically to the Ways and Means Committee in the House and to the Finance Committee in the Senate.

Question 3

3. House/Senate - Referred to Subcommittee for Hearings and Markup

Subcommittee Delegation

Answer 3

Committee chairs normally pass a bill on to the appropriate subcommittee for hearings and markup. The committee chair may opt for the committee as a whole, not any particular subcommittee, to hold its own hearings and markup sessions on a bill.

Question 4

4. House/Senate - Committee Action

Answer 4

A committee may decide to kill a bill outright or move it along for floor action.

Question 5

5. House - Rules Committee

House/Senate - Floor Action

Answer 5

In the House, major bills must first go to the Rules Committee, which decides where the bills will appear on the legislative calendar, before it goes to the floor for debate. After floor debate, the chamber votes on the bill.

Question 6

6. House/Senate - Bill reconciliation, usually in conference committee

Reconciliation in Conference

Answer 6

Bills passed by the House and the Senate almost always differ. Before a bill goes to the president, its conflicting versions must be rewritten so that a single bill gains the approval of both chambers of Congress.

Question 7

7. Presidential Signature (also becomes law if president doesn’t sign after ten days while Congress remains in session)

Answer 7

If a president approves a bill, it is signed into law.